Liposuction Recovery – What To Realistically Expect
By Sadi Erfani.
Liposuction recovery is a gradual process which may classically take 6 weeks to 6 months. After the cosmetic procedure, you may experience some discomfort (“soreness”) which can be controlled by prescribed pain medications and/or muscle relaxants. The treated area will be protected and covered with special, fitted compression garments that are worn for up to several weeks to help shape your new body contours. Your Plastic Surgeon will see you on interval follow up visits after the procedure to ensure your best recovery. Suture removal of the “port” sites is generally done at 7 to 10 days after the procedure.
After liposuction surgery, swelling and bruising at the incision can remain for weeks. However, they often decrease significantly beginning at 2 weeks. Areas of swelling may variably resolve and worsen especially after strenuous activities. Strenuous activity should be restricted during the first 6 weeks of recovery. In rare cases, a “seroma” (localized fluid collection under the skin) may develop after liposuction, requiring drainage by your Plastic Surgeon.
• Prolonged swelling lasting greater than 2 months after surgery
• Seroma (excess fluid under the skin) may develop variably after surgery
• Incisions may remain red or visible for prolonged periods after surgery
• Internal organs may be punctured or damaged during the procedure (higher risk when the procedure is not done by a trained Plastic Surgeon)
• Results may be uneven on the treated areas (higher risk depending on the Surgeon’s experience and level of training)
• Prolonged inflammation of the treated areas because of trauma
• Color changes of the skin
• Permanent ripples in the treated areas (all too common when untrained physicians remove too much fat!).